Elina Svitolina Announces Split From Gael Monfils: “Our Marriage Is Ending, But Our Family Is Not”

Elina Svitolina with Gael Monfils. (Image credit: Elina’s Instagram post) Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina has announced the end of her marriage to French tennis player Gael Monfils, calling the decision the hardest thing she’s ever had to share and opening up about the emotional struggles that have shaped her journey over the past year.The world number six made the announcement in an emotional Instagram post on Monday, explaining that she had to reinvent herself after battling the psychological toll of the war in Ukraine. The couple, who have a daughter Skai together, said their family will remain united despite the end of their marriage.“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to share,” Svitolina wrote.The 32-year-old revealed that she rarely spoke publicly about her internal struggles, but reached a point where she had to retire from tennis to recover emotionally. She described sleepless nights, doubts and a sense of losing herself during a particularly difficult time.

‘No amount of love from someone else can win them for you’

Svitolina acknowledged the role Monfils played in supporting her in her struggles and said the Frenchman stood by her during some of the darkest moments of her life.“Gaël saw it all. He never let go of my hand. We fought it together for a long time and gave it all our strength,” she wrote.However, the Ukrainian explained that the emotional battles she faced ultimately required a personal journey that she said she could not undertake within their marriage.“But some battles are fought deep inside you, and no amount of love from someone else can win them for you,” she wrote.“Over time, I understood that I had to find my way back to myself and that I couldn’t do that in our marriage.”Svitolina described the decision as extremely painful, especially because of the love and support she shared with Monfils.“This is the hardest truth I’ve ever had to face and the hardest thing I’ve ever had to say to the person I love,” she said.She also paid tribute to Monfils for how he responded to her decision, saying he listened to her needs with dignity and understanding.“Gaël loved me in the happiest and darkest moments of my life. And I loved him with all my heart,” she added.

Their daughter Skai remains their priority

Despite confirming the end of their marriage, Svitolina emphasized that their responsibilities as parents would remain unchanged. The couple share a daughter, Skai, who they said will continue to be their top priority.“We have built a beautiful life together and received the most precious gift of all, our daughter Skai,” Svitolina wrote.“Skai will always come first. Our marriage is ending, but our family is not. We will always be her parents, side by side, every step of the way in her life.”The Ukrainian also made it clear that neither partner should be blamed for the split, describing it as a difficult personal decision rather than the result of wrongdoing by either individual.“They are just two people who loved each other deeply and a story that is now taking a different shape,” she wrote, asking the public to respect their privacy as they transition.“We ask that you be kind to us and give us the privacy and time we need to heal. Thank you for your love.”

Monfils’ retirement adds another chapter

The announcement comes amid a significant change in Monfils’ tennis career. The 40-year-old Frenchman had planned to retire at the end of the 2026 season and a farewell appearance at the Paris Masters is expected to be a fitting conclusion in front of his home crowd.However, the sport’s drug-testing organization listed Monfils as among the players who declared themselves retired, with his career officially ending on 5 October.Monfils, a former world number six, has enjoyed a long career marked by her athleticism and showmanship, while Svitolina has established herself among the leading players on the women’s tour.